Maoists' economic blockade derails life

Maoists blew up railway tracks between Chetar and Richuguta areas under Dhanbad rail division on Tuesday during the blockade, report Arun Kumar and Amitabh Srivastava.

Maoists, who have called a two-day economic blockade on Monday-Tuesday in the state, blew up railway tracks between Chetar and Richuguta areas under Dhanbad rail division on Tuesday.

It led to the derailment of 22 wagons and the engine of a freight train.

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Confirming the incident, Amerandra Das, senior public relations officer, Railways, said the Maoists also triggered explosion on tracks between Mangra halt and Barwadih near Latehar, besides placing a truck on a level crossing near Parasanth Outer.

In several parts of the state, trains were halted mid-way through their journey, causing problems for the passengers.

As a precautionary measure, several trains on various sections of the East Central Railway were cancelled.

Vehicular traffic was also affected in Naxal-prone areas like Rohtas, Gaya, Jehanabad, East Champaran and West Champaran.

IG (Headquarters) Anil Sinha said no untoward incident had been reported from any part of the state so far.